SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Confronting one of the two sole teams that vanquished them during the standard season, South Carolina does not perceive its Sweet 16 encounter with Oklahoma as a contest for retribution.
“The objective isn’t merely to strike back,” stated South Carolina senior Raven Johnson.
The Sooners inflicted an extra-period defeat upon the Gamecocks in Norman in the preceding January — an event where Oklahoma rallied from a seven-point disadvantage at the half, equalized the score in standard playing time, and subsequently controlled the additional segment of play. First-year player Aaliyah Chavez delivered an outstanding display, registering 15 of her total 26 points during the extended play, with the Sooners surpassing the Gamecocks in scoring by a margin of 19-7 in total.
“Our drive isn’t fueled by settling a score for a defeat,” remarked South Carolina’s coach, Dawn Staley. “Our impetus stems from progression. It’s not a matter of ‘they defeated us previously, so we must respond thusly.’ The imperative is to persist and move forward.”
To date, South Carolina has overwhelmingly defeated its adversaries across the initial pair of rounds of the NCAA tournament, tallying a century of points in each contest. This marks an unprecedented occurrence in the team’s annals, as the Gamecocks have exceeded 100 points within a single tournament event.
“I don’t believe we adjust based on our prior shortcomings,” Staley commented. “Rather, our modifications stem from our desired tournament performance and the necessary actions to maintain cohesion.”
Representatives from both South Carolina and Oklahoma indicated they reviewed footage of their previous encounter, however, there is a mutual acknowledgement that each squad perceives itself as altered from its state two months prior.
The victory in January concluded a three-game losing streak for the Sooners. For their part, that triumph was less concerned with conquering the formidable South Carolina and more significant for the message it conveyed to their less experienced contingent.
“The sentiment wasn’t derived from merely winning a contest. Instead, the feeling arose from being a youthful squad endeavoring to traverse our journey collectively,” remarked Oklahoma’s coach, Jennie Baranczyk. “…That sentiment was a direct result of our performance. And when one performs in such a manner, occasionally the final tally favors you.”
Centered on veteran players Raegan Beers and Payton Verhulst, this Oklahoma contingent isn’t novel, yet the Sooners are adapting their gameplay alongside their fledgling point guard, Chavez.
“I felt rushed early in the match, but ultimately I became more composed and authentic,” Chavez conveyed to ESPN, contemplating their initial encounter of the season. “From that contest, I acquired significant insights into myself and our collective.”
The previous year’s progression to the Sweet 16 marked the Sooners’ initial advancement beyond the second phase of the championship since 2013. In contrast, the Gamecocks have reached this particular phase annually since 2014.
“They represent a benchmark in women’s basketball,” Beers remarked.
“One does not merely face the current season’s squad. You confront the entire legacy of South Carolina. Their unparalleled experience is also part of the challenge,” Baranczyk stated. “They constitute a team accustomed to high-stakes situations. And you never simply compete against this season’s iteration at this juncture; you are contending with a considerable amount of historical significance.”
Embodying something beyond their immediate roster is a concept the South Carolina athletes are apprised of almost daily. While not openly discussed, whether it involves passing A’ja Wilson’s monument situated outside the Colonial Life Arena on university grounds, observing the championship pennants adorning the arena’s ceiling, or noting the multitude of past athletes who have ascended to WNBA stardom, its influence is perpetually felt.
“When we observe those, it serves as a reminder of the enduring legacy established here,” Johnson commented. “Our efforts extend beyond our individual aspirations.”
Second-year player Joyce Edwards further stated, “It isn’t something I personally contemplate during play, as my sole desire is victory, much like theirs probably was. However, the prevailing ethos and high standards exist solely because they forged the path for us to occupy this standing and to be a triumphant organization.”
Despite such a rich historical background, the Gamecocks endeavor to remain focused on the present. Excessive contemplation is avoided — whether concerning the teams that came before them, or defeats they suffered, such as the one against Oklahoma.
The Sooners, too, share a similar perspective. They acknowledge they confront solely this current version of South Carolina — a squad they have previously bested. Yet Saturday’s contest presents a stark contrast to the one contested on their home turf in January.
“Apprehension is not an option,” remarked Oklahoma’s junior forward Sahara Williams regarding the confrontation with the Gamecocks. “They are an exceptionally skilled squad, but we must appear with an unwavering desire for triumph and the conviction that one must surpass the efforts of all opponents.”